David West fined $15,000 for elbowing Blake Griffin in jaw

Indiana Pacers power forward David West has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for elbowing Clippers power forward Blake Griffin in the jaw during their game Saturday in Indianapolis, the league announced Sunday.

The incident occurred at the end of the second quarter, when Griffin missed a shot as time expired and the two reached for the rebound. West was behind Griffin and each had a hand on the ball. As the two separated, West brought his arm down and caught Griffin in the jaw.

West was given a flagrant foul two and ejected from the game. The Pacers went on to win, 106-92.

Pacers Hall of Fame guard Reggie Miller didn’t like the ejection.

The punishment was announced by Rod Thorn, the league’s president of basketball operations, who also said that Sacramento Kings Coach Michael Malone was fined $25,000 for verbal abuse of official Marc Davis and not leaving the court in a timely manner after a 91-90 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Malone berated Davis for failing to call a foul against the Grizzlies with 1.9 seconds left. A jump ball was ruled and the Grizzlies won the tip to end the game.